April 2017

GFBNEC Public Program Restoring America's Promise: The Impact of Nisei Veterans in the Fight for Redress

On April 1, 2017, Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) presented a program entitled Restoring America's Promise: The Impact of Nisei Veterans in the Fight for Redress at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum. Mitchell T. Maki, President of GFBNEC and author of Achieving the Impossible Dream: How Japanese Americans Obtained Redress, spoke on the integral contribution of Japanese Americans in passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

The program began with the voices of the veterans through our Hanashi Oral History program. "I don't think there would have been redress without the 442…" Richard Narasaki of the 442nd said. Following an introduction by Stephen Kagawa, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pacific Bridge Companies, Inc. and GFBNEC's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Maki began by asking the audience about the good things in their lives and how they would feel if this was all taken away. He went on to describe the incarceration experience and the resulting years leading up to the redress movement.

Maki discussed Kazuo Masuda, who volunteered for the 442nd while his family was incarcerated because it was the only way he knew that his family could have a chance in America. Masuda and many other Nisei chose to fight for the U.S. to prove their commitment -- "Loyalty needed to be demonstrated in blood," Masuda said. In Italy during a night patrol, Masuda and his two companions were trapped by the enemy. Masuda ordered his companions to withdraw, saving their lives, while he was killed by enemy fire. As a young Army Captain in 1945, Ronald Reagan spoke on the bravery of Masuda soon after his death. He later recalled this speech when signing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

Maki's engaging, highly participatory presentation may be viewed by anyone interested in the fight for equality and justice. The complete program is available online by clicking here.